8 replies to this topic

[PitViperK]

Variants are a cool idea but how many 'mechs are there? Between Biped, Triped and Quadruped, I know of at least 1,000 mechs.

I understand that it works very similar to tabletop currently and that's admirable; however is this the direction we want to go? Where will this game be 5 years from now? I plan on investing money into this game and I want to know that investment brings joy to others besides myself. I am not entirely saying throw variants out..at least not yet. I understand the developers will take a little bit to release mechs and it gives the game more depth currently, but in the long run I honestly believe for the sake of the game and the community that when we do have enough mechs to choose from, variants need to be removed.

The above being said, in preparation for that the talent tree is an important part of that impending preparation. The Elite Skill tree should not be based on ownership of variants, but for owning 3 mechs within that class. Example: One could own 3 Ravens OR one could own a Commando, Raven and Jenner and accomplish the same goal. You're already rewarding the player for specializing in the mech with the basic points. Elite should be reserved for those who separate themselves by choosing a defined role on the battlefield.

[S3dition]

PitViperK, on 13 November 2012 - 11:48 AM, said:

Variants are a cool idea but how many 'mechs are there? Between Biped, Triped and Quadruped, I know of at least 1,000 mechs.

I understand that it works very similar to tabletop currently and that's admirable; however is this the direction we want to go? Where will this game be 5 years from now? I plan on investing money into this game and I want to know that investment brings joy to others besides myself. I am not entirely saying throw variants out..at least not yet. I understand the developers will take a little bit to release mechs and it gives the game more depth currently, but in the long run I honestly believe for the sake of the game and the community that when we do have enough mechs to choose from, variants need to be removed.

The above being said, in preparation for that the talent tree is an important part of that impending preparation. The Elite Skill tree should not be based on ownership of variants, but for owning 3 mechs within that class. Example: One could own 3 Ravens OR one could own a Commando, Raven and Jenner and accomplish the same goal. You're already rewarding the player for specializing in the mech with the basic points. Elite should be reserved for those who separate themselves by choosing a defined role on the battlefield.

How many of those are clan? That hasn't happened yet. How many are post 3065? That is almost 20 years away. My beloved bushwacker is 3055 tech, so I will probably never see that either.

The number of mechs is actually much more limited if you assume 3055 is the cap. They might make it to 3060, but my bet is that they'll change engines or create a different game by then.

[PitViperK]

Well, that obviously includes clan. The invasion has not happened yet (after all, it's still beta), but even so there's several hundred Inner Sphere mechs.

I understand you love the Bushwhacker. I loved the Fire Moth. I don't think that this should go by actual years, and upgrading to a new engine would not be an issue. I've played many games where the engine changed during an active subscribing player base.

Either way, you did not comment on my ending suggestion.....about Elite Skills being based on weight class, not variant.

[S3dition]

PitViperK, on 13 November 2012 - 12:13 PM, said:

Well, that obviously includes clan. The invasion has not happened yet (after all, it's still beta), but even so there's several hundred Inner Sphere mechs.

I understand you love the Bushwhacker. I loved the Fire Moth. I don't think that this should go by actual years, and upgrading to a new engine would not be an issue. I've played many games where the engine changed during an active subscribing player base.

Either way, you did not comment on my ending suggestion.....about Elite Skills being based on weight class, not variant.

The idea with skills is that you are mastering one specific chassis. It's nearly impossible to master a class, though I think forcing people to max out 3 full chassis is a bit much.

Also, how we feel about mech release is irrelevant. They already stated they are sticking to a canon release schedule, so there it is.

[Morekian]

My idea conserning variants, involves another way of use for experince accumulated through battles. And i get straight to the point. Build a skill tree, where you spend your xp according to the specialization you want to have. Everyone starts out with same core mech i.e. Raven. Then spend some experience points gained at some "skills" i.e. slight bonus at movement speed, which eventually leads you to a scout variant of raven (with the appropriate hardpoints). The final customization/loadout is up for the player to decide, as it is right now. I just find boring the fact that i have to spend credits to get 3 variants, level up the basic skills 3 times, so as to unlock the expert skills of the variant i prfer to play.

[PitViperK]

Morekian: That's my point. It's set up well right now with xp gain and the skills, but seems flat. I just find it very pigeon-holed to be stuck with one chassis three times.

S3: I have no problem sticking to the cannon when it comes to when mechs are released. That does not mean that we have to wait literal years. One month in this game, for example, could represent an in-game year. As for mastering a class....I don't see how it would be impossible. Driving a sports car is driving a sports car. Driving a tractor trailer is driving a tractor trailer. Not that mechs are equivalent to that, but it's the closest layman's description. Allowing a player to have a choice between three of the same mech or 3 different mechs, or even two of the same mech with one different ones all within the same weight class and reaching the same end result gives the player choice, right?

[Stickjock]

PitViperK, on 13 November 2012 - 12:39 PM, said:

S3: I have no problem sticking to the cannon when it comes to when mechs are released. That does not mean that we have to wait literal years. One month in this game, for example, could represent an in-game year. ... snip...

MW:O is running day for day with IS time... today, November 13th, 2012 is November 13th, 3049 in-game... Clans have hit the Periphery already (hinted at in ISN Newsflashes) and invade the IS all out in March of 3050 (not really that far away is it...). For now that's the time schedule the Devs have for us...

Now, that doesn't rule out that at some point they could "skip ahead" a little... but still... even given Mechs available in 3049/3050 that gives us a LOT to play with...

[S3dition]

PitViperK, on 13 November 2012 - 12:39 PM, said:

Morekian: That's my point. It's set up well right now with xp gain and the skills, but seems flat. I just find it very pigeon-holed to be stuck with one chassis three times.

S3: I have no problem sticking to the cannon when it comes to when mechs are released. That does not mean that we have to wait literal years. One month in this game, for example, could represent an in-game year. As for mastering a class....I don't see how it would be impossible. Driving a sports car is driving a sports car. Driving a tractor trailer is driving a tractor trailer. Not that mechs are equivalent to that, but it's the closest layman's description. Allowing a player to have a choice between three of the same mech or 3 different mechs, or even two of the same mech with one different ones all within the same weight class and reaching the same end result gives the player choice, right?

It's closer to aircraft, and no, they aren't the same. Let me use motorcycles as a reference - if you are experienced with a motorcycle, and wish to use another model, it takes 6 months to be acclimated to the new bike. That's just time it takes to get used to riding it. You're still a long ways from mastering it. There is a distinct difference between vehicles, especially with something as complex as a military vehicle. It's not a matter of "race cars are race cars."

[PitViperK]

I don't see it that way, but then again...my career involved being able to parallel park a fire engine complete with ladder and drive high speed in an ambulance. Tbh, I've never had a problem with acclamation. As I said, my description is the closest layman's description I could think of. It's possible piloting a mech is similar to flying a jet but....not quite that either as mechs are land based and can 'turret' much like the Monitor and Merrimack of the American Civil War (though those were frigates).

Distinguishing between a civilian vehicle and a military vehicle in operation sometimes is minute as well. Consider the fact that while a Jeep and Humvee originated as military vehicles driving say....a Toyota Rav 4 would be a similar experience.